This game marked the first-ever visit by the taxmen to beautiful Buckingham Park in Glastonbury.  After laying dormant for a few years, a longstanding rivalry was rekindled with the Fighting Plankton, who like DRS, had lost their regular home park in town before the season and were making their own debut at their new home ball field.  Buckingham is a wonderful facility, and the infield impressively absorbed all of the recent rain with no puddles left behind.  It's just too bad that for the third consecutive contest, the taxmen had to play in precipitation.  The clubs got all seven innings in, having had agreed ahead of time to halt the action right there (the final score was a 9-9 tie) but nonetheless, not five minutes after the final out, the skies opened up and everyone got drenched while making their long walk to the cars.  Top hitters were Tom Inzero (two doubles), Scott Schneider (3-4, triple), Chris Atwood (3-4) and Kathryn Carroll (2-3, clutch game-tying RBI-double in the top of the seventh).  The post-game was a lively one at the nearby Elicit Brewery in Manchester, where Katie Smallidge's brother's band was playing, making for an entertaining late night.     

Rain had washed out the planned opener a day earlier, but team management scrambled and on short notice rescheduled for a rare Friday night tilt one day later.  A fluky double-booking caused the two teams - DRS and Scared Hitless - to relocate to the Henry James School in Simsbury.  It was the first time the taxmen had ever played at the school.  The grassy infield was very DMV-like.  The late change in venue delayed the start of the game, which eventually caused the action to be called after only four innings as it grew dark.  Thanks to Scott and Mel Schneider for filling in to help DRS field a full line-up.  Of note: Phil Dombrowski socked his first career homerun, Chris Atwood doubled, homered and drove in four runs, and every player on the team scored at least one run.  Post-game, the team serenaded Scott Deslaurier, whose birthday was the following day on May 1.  The celebration lasted until darkness, when the increasingly chilly breezes sent players off to the warmth of their cars.  Thanks to the hosting Scared Hitless crew for a great game.

Temps in the low-40s didn't stop the taxmen from holding practice in preparation for the upcoming 2021 season.  With changes to town policy looking to prevent DRS from returning to its long-time Glastonbury home at Hopewell School for the first time in over twenty years, the club is on the lookout for a new ball field.  As a one-time fix, the taxmen held their early-season tune-up at the DMV fields in Wethersfield.  Eight players attended: Jim Chakulski, Katie Smallidge, Chris Atwood, Phil Dombrowski, Sam King, Hector Channer, Sheldon McDonald and Scott Deslaurier.  Surprisingly, considering DRS played such an abbreviated slate of games in the pandemically-parsed 2020, the team's hitting was hotter than expected.  Certainly warmer than the cool breezes that had everyone constantly shivering in layered pullovers.  Katie ripped one wicked line drive that rattled around a tree along the third base line, before the ball miraculously came to rest balanced perfectly on a branch.  Everyone tossed the ball around, took some swings, shagged fly balls, and fielded ground balls.

Of note, Chris and Sheldon were very belatedly (another pandemic delay) recognized as team co-MVPs from the 2019 season.  2020 never allowed for the proper opportunity to do so.  2019 was the year of offense for DRS softball.  Through 2018, the team had an all-time batting average of .499, but then in 2019 the team batted an astounding .546, by far the highest season batting average in team history.  Leading the offensive charge were Chris and Sheldon.  Chris batted .596 and led the team with 11 homeruns and 59 RBIs, while adding 5 doubles and 9 triples.  Sheldon batted .686 with a team-best 70 base hits, scored 51 runs, adding 10 doubles, 6 triples and 8 homeruns.  Each were awarded a game ball from the 2019 Cove Cup tournament, each ball coming from DRS victories, from respective games in which Chris and Sheldon had hit homeruns.  Great job and congratulations to Chris and Sheldon.

2021 will be the team's twenty-sixth.  We battled through the pandemic with an abbreviated schedule, and are still going strong and looking forward to get back to getting together on the ball field.  Here's to vaccines, warmer weather, and seeing you on a grassy field some time soon! 

There will not be a league scheduling meeting this year, as scheduling will be done through emails in the upcoming weeks.

In the immediate future (some time in mid-April) we will start having team practices.  We haven't held organized practices all that often in the past, but last summer required us to be creative in finding opportunities to getting on the field.  And the extra practices proved both fun, and beneficial.  

So far, early on, there are two softball games being organized:

(1) Saturday, June 19, 5pm (Veterans Park, East Lyme) - George Chakulski graduates high school this spring, and a family gathering of celebration will find us in Niantic near the ocean for the week.  A field was reserved and a game is planned, with a post-game visit to the beach.

(2) August 7 or 8 (TBA) (Brousseau Park, East Matunick, RI) - since a nearby rental is happening over this weekend, an out-of-state softball game is being set up.  It's too good an opportunity to pass up.  It almost happened last year until the pandemic spoiled our plans.  Brousseau Park is right up the street from East Matunick Beach, and this should be a really fun time.  Plans are underway.

Stay tuned for more information as to regular, weeknight games and any weekend charity tournaments.

*** Recent website updates: Through links on the website menu, under Handouts, you can now view season abstracts for every year going back to 1996, a complete listing of every player who has ever played with the team (through 2020) along with batting statistics, past award winners by season, and an article on the team's history; under Results, you can view team career/season leaders in different stat categories; and under About, view team photos from throughout the years.

After a sluggish start to 2017, the taxmen got hot and rebounded to finish the season with an impressive 13-2 streak, ending the summer with a 17-9 record.  The season saw the taxmen reach the championship game in the Cove Cup only to fall one run short.  When the Rocky Hill Vets Tournament fell through, Eric Bowers and the taxmen responded by re-organizing a replacement event, which raised $450 for the Wounded Warrior Project.  And for the first time since 2015, the team returned to the Lebanon Pines, swept a pair of charity games, and donated $150 in new softball equipment to the residents there.  A listing of the team's 2017 statistical leaders can be found in the handout section of the website.

The team now looks forward to 2018.

The league scheduling meeting will be held Thursday, April 5 at 5pm sharp at the Red Rock Tavern in Hartford.  All players are welcome to attend, not just those scheduling games.

Three bustrips are planned for 2018:

1) Sunday, July 1 - to Yankee Stadium, New York, NY (Red Sox at Yankees) - bus leaves 2pm

2) Friday, July 13 - to Fenway Park, Boston, MA (Blue Jays at Red Sox) - bus leaves 2pm

3) Saturday, August 25 - to Citi Field, New York, NY (Nationals at Mets) - bus leaves 11am

Stay tuned for more information as opening day approaches...

2013 was a bounce-back season of sorts for the taxmen, who returned to compete in both the Lebanon Pines Tournament and Vernon Fall League after skipping both events in 2012.  The taxmen finished as runners-up in the Lebanon Pines Tourney, and then finished the Vernon Fall regular season in second place before losing in the semi-finals of the playoffs.  The taxmen also finished in second place in both the Cove Cup Invitational and Rocky Hill Vets Tournament.  For the year, DRS finished up with a 29-9-2 record.  A look at some of the 2013 team leaders:

Games played: 34, Jim Chakulski, Scott Deslaurier
Batting average: .714, Jim Chakulski
Runs scored: 66, Jim Chakulski
Runs batted in: 68, Mike Malone
Homeruns: 13, Scott Gelineau
Triples: 9, Jim Chakulski
Doubles: 18, Jim Chakulski
Pitching appearances: 26, Scott Gelineau (19-2 record)
Grand slams: 3 - Chris Atwood, Mike Malone, Jeremy Moskites
Hit for the cycle: 1 - Mike Malone

Games played (female): 25, Lauren Gargano
Batting average (female): .611, Sue Mangene
Runs scored (female): 29, Ann Oravetz
Runs batted in (female): 19, Ann Oravetz

The taxmen now look ahead to the 2014.  Planning is underway for bustrips to Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium, and the Farmington Relay for Life has already been scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2014.  More information to follow.

2012 marked another successful season for the taxmen, with DRS finishing up with a 24-11-1 record.  A look at some of the 2012 team leaders:

Games played: 31, Scott Deslaurier
Batting average: .661, Mike Malone
Runs scored: 49, Jim Chakulski & Mike Malone
Runs batted in: 81, Mike Malone
Homeruns: 19, Mike Malone
Triples: 7, Tony Santos
Doubles: 22, Mike Malone
Pitching appearances: 26, Scott Gelineau (16-7 record)
Grand slams: 3 - Scott Deslaurier, Scott Gelineau, Mike Malone
Hit for the cycle: 2 - Mike Malone, Tony Santos

Games played (female): 28, Peggy Jiantonio
Batting average (female): .365, Lauren Gargano
Runs scored (female): 35, Lauren Gargano
Runs batted in (female): 17, Peggy Jiantonio

Farmington High School, Farmington - For a fourth straight year, the taxmen organized charity softball in conjunction with the Farmington Relay for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society. In past years, the taxmen played in honor of teammates Luca Capriglione and Gordie Lustila, both cancer survivors. But tragically, Luca lost his battle with cancer last November and so, with heavy hearts, the taxmen this year played in his memory.
Through a combination of donations collected throughout the agency, and donations made by members of the team, DRS raised $959 for the American Cancer Society. Over four years, the taxmen have raised $3,047.00.
DRS played a double header against Los Bambinos, their traditional opponent for the Farmington Relay for Life. The two squads split the twin bill, with each winning a game. Top performers on the day were Jim Chakulski (8 for 8, 7 runs scored), Mike Malone (5 for 9, 3 homeruns, 8 RBIs), Scott Gelineau (6 for 9, double, homerun, 4 runs, 3 RBIs) and Jeremy Moskites (5 runs, 5 RBIs, homerun).
Following the games, the team gathered for a brief tail gate before heading to the DRS captain's family tent for pizza dinner. Afterward, the group took in the event's opening ceremonies, which included Gordie and wife Trish participating in a survivor's lap, a team lap, a speech by the event's honorary chairman, Channel 3 weatherman Scot Haney, and a brief photo op with ESPN's Kenny Mayne (posing above with Chris Atwood, Lauren Gargano and Jim Chakulski).

Fastpitch Nation, Bloomfield - Though the calendar read February and the thermometer outside outside read a frigid 29 degrees, the taxmen officially kicked off their 2010 season with a game played indoors at the Fastpitch Nation softball facility in Bloomfield. Players were unaccustomed to playing on a field with such unusual dimensions and ground rules, which at times led to some very wacky plays. (It's not too often centerfielders cover second base in turning a 1-8-3 double play, and you don't usually see pop-ups bounce off ceiling netting only to be caught for outs.)
The field is located inside a converted racquet club, with an arched 36-foot high ceiling, a clay regulation-sized infield, and an undersized outfield covered with AstroTurf. The field measures a scant 100 feet down the foul lines, and only 140 feet to straightaway center. To compensate for this, a spongier ball is used, and hitters are required to use wooden bats.
The taxmen lost the game by a score of 16-11, but everyone unanimously agreed it was a great time. Having rented the facility for a two-hour block, the teams kept playing until time was up and ended up going thirteen innings. Scott Deslaurier and Scott Gelineau were the club's top hitters, with six base hits apiece. Judy Hansen added a pair of base hits, and fielded a would-be base hit off the right field fence, turned, and threw to first base to retire the batter. The team is already trying to reschedule a return visit to the facility some time in the near future.

Yankeee Stadium, New York, NY - On Sunday, July 5, DRS starting shortstop Mike Malone took son Sean to see the Yankees take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Now, we all saw for ourselves after the taxmen's recent win over DAS that young Sean can swing a mean wiffleball bat. But who knew, as the attached video clip shows, that Sean can also bust some pretty impressive dance moves. The video, recorded on a cellphone, captures actual footage off the Yankee Stadium jumbotron. It's brief, but just keep an eye out for the little boy in the Derek Jeter shirt.

Disney's Wide World of Sports, Orlando - Despite having fared not so well last year, the taxmen decided to return to Disney World for a second straight appearance in Disney's Slow-pitch Holiday Classic, which was held Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14 at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

DRS' opening round game was slated Friday night against a Florida team called the Evil Jesters. Five first-inning errors helped put the taxmen in an 11-0 hole that DRS was unable to dig out of. The Jesters ended up scoring four runs in the fourth, the last one putting them ahead by fifteen runs, automatically invoking the mercy rule.

Participating for Team DRS were: Jim Chakulski, Scott Deslaurier, Mike Malone, Peggy Jiantonio, Chris Atwood, Gloria "Barb Wire" Axiotis, Carol "The Shocker" Andrews, Gordie Lustila, Jeremy Moskites, Scott Gelineau and Phil "Eiffel Tower" Isner. Also suiting up for DRS were Florida residents: Jack Lustila (Gordie's brother), Kerri Byrd, Nicole Kneser, and Gina Kneser.

In the second round game, also played Friday night, DRS jumped out to a 6-1 lead against Shockwave, a team from New Jersey. The taxmen led into the fourth inning before more defensive lapses allowed Shockwave to overtake DRS on the scoreboard. The taxmen were ready to rally before the umpire signaled the game's time limit, and DRS suffered a second straight loss.

Returning to the complex the following day, DRS played one more game against a Florida club called Team Shockers. The Shockers were easily the best team DRS faced all tourney, and they cruised to a 19-5 win.

The team enjoyed its too-short trip to sunny Florida, the three straight losses notwithstanding, and are already on the lookout for a season-end tournament in a warm-weather clime to cap off 2009!

Lebanon Pines, Lebanon - To fill the void left by the cancellation of the Rocky Hill Vets tournament, the taxmen trekked out to rural Lebanon to participate in a hastily organized, four-team, men's tourney. Other participants were Aztek Technologies and the A and B teams fielded by host Lebanon Pines.

DRS sat out the opening game and watched the Lebanon Pines B team tiptoe past Aztek Technologies 12-11.

In the second game, the taxmen faced the Lebanon Pines A team, a more seasoned group than their comrades on the B team. But the men of DRS gelled perfectly as a unit, top to bottom the line-up hit, and the pitching and defense were superb. In the end, DRS triumphed 18-13 over the A team, which looked a little shell-shocked at having actually lost. MVPs for DRS were: Mike Malone (4-4, 4 runs, 3 RBIs, three doubles, homerun), Jeremy Moskites (4-4, 4 RBIs, two doubles), and Dave Adamaitis (3-4, 3 runs, 2 RBIs, double).

The tourney's third game was a consolation game that featured the losing teams of the day's previous two games. An angry A team took out their frustrations by trouncing Aztek in a five-inning rout that was ended early by mercy-rule. The exact score was not noted, but guesses had it at anywhere from 24-7 to 34-7.

In the fourth and final game of the day, DRS faced the Lebanon Pines B team in the championship. Having already beaten the A team, the taxmen were not to denied by the B team. DRS rolled to a five-inning 27-3 win that was also ended by mercy-rule, and as a result were declared champions of the tourney. No trophies or prize money, but satisfying nonetheless.
DRS contributors in the game included: Mike Malone (3-4, 5 runs, 8 RBIs, two doubles, homerun), Dave Petersen (3-5, 4 runs, 3 RBIs, double, walk), and Jim Chakulski (4-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, walk).

DRS relied on a few last-minute fill-ins in order to field a full squad, so a big thank you goes out to Dave Adamaitis, Tom Gelineau (Scott Gelineau's father), and Dave Petersen (co-worker of Chris Atwood).

The taxmen hope to play at Lebanon Pines again in the future, if not in the fall, then next year for sure.

Mill Woods Park, Wethersfield - On a sweltering Saturday morning, the taxmen participated in the Easter Seals Softball Weekend for the thirteenth straight time and finished as the top fundraising team, raising $4,585 for charity. (In thirteen years, the taxmen have raised nearly $35,000 for the Easter Seals, and have been the tourney's top fundraising team eight times.)

On the day, DRS played two games, sweeping both, to claim the unofficial championship in their bracket. In the opener, the taxmen were forced to loan five players to the opposing team in order for the game to be played. Jim Chakulski went 3 for 3 with two doubles, Chrystal Urbani played her first game of 2008 and had two base hits and two RBIs, and Phil Isner led off, going 2 for 3 with a pair of runs scored. Jeremy Moskites played a great game at shortstop, and Sandi Isner pitched a complete game in the heat for her 50th career victory.

In the second game, all the taxmen reunited back on the same bench and rolled to a 13-5 win. Gordie Lustila made the surprise start on the hill for DRS, and pitched seven innings, helping his cause at the dish with a team-high three base hits. Scott Deslaurier and Chris Atwood also had three hits apiece, with Chris roping two doubles and driving in two runs. Jim Chakulski had a double and a three-run homerun. Sara Ramsbottom, on her annual one-day loan from E Coli, made a nice grab of a hard-hit line drive to third for an unassisted double play.

Afterwards, those who weren't too bushed from their day in the heat headed to the DRS skipper's house for a post-tourney cookout. It would be a perfect day for Luca Capriglione, who relished the London broil off the grill, Italian ice for dessert, and a Yankees come-from-behind in extra innings.

June was a busy month for DRS, as the taxmen made like schoolboys and jumped buses for trips to both Fenway Park in Boston and Yankee Stadium (pictured above) in New York.

The trip to Beantown occurred on June 6. A pick-up softball game was planned for Puopolo Park in Boston's North End, but heavy morning rains made the field unplayable. Instead, the free time would be spent in Quincy Market, Black Rose, Purple Shamrock, Cask 'N Flagon, Boston Beerworks, and other establishments. Phil Isner freaked out out after his teammates played a practical joke and he thought his glove had been stolen, Chris Atwood was shocked to have the Black Rose's bartender crawl around under the table on her hands and knees after he dropped his cell phone behind a bench fixture, and Jim Chakulski broke a young girl's heart after he swiped and spiked away her beach ball in the Fenway bleachers. As for the actual game, the Bosox were blitzed 8-0 by the Seattle Mariners but as always, it was a great time in Boston. Afterwards, it took quite a while, but eventually everyone was rounded up and all made it home safe and sound.

The trip to New York came a couple weeks later, as the taxmen made a point of visiting the "House that Ruth Built" one last time before it is demolished over the winter to make way for the new stadium's opening next season. The trip was four years in the making. Twice previously the taxmen took a bus to New York, but both times had rain wash out planned softball in Central Park. At long last, Mother Nature cooperated and the taxmen played (and lost) a game against the GHISL "All-Stars" by a score of 12-10. Others enjoyed free time in Manhattan before all journeyed to the Bronx for the Yankee game. (Well, almost everyone. Mike Malone and Dave Adamaitis stayed behind in the Upper West Side with intentions of riding the subway to meet up later at the game. They got to bar-hopping, playing beer pong, missed the entire game, and just barely got to the bus to avoid being left behind!) The Yanks would lose 4-2 to the Cincinnati Reds, but the awesome weather made for a great trip.

As usual, the DRS skipper has plans for even bigger and better trips in 2009. Stay tuned for more details.

The 2007 season-end party was (finally) held Wednesday, February 6 at the Corner Pug in West Hartford. Thanks to everyone for coming out. It was the best turnout yet - the headcount reached 31 people, including 21 current and former players!

Award winners included:
Team MVP - Mike Malone
Cy Young (best pitchers) - Sandi Isner & Scott Gelineau
Best relief pitcher - Steve Fador
Rookie of the year (female) - Angela Gelineau
Co-rookies of the year (male) - Jeremy Moskites & Phil Isner
Gold Glove (outstanding fielding) - Tony Santos
Most improved - Chrystal Urbani

Note: the team history section of the website has been updated to include career team stats through the 2007 season and a 2007 season breakdown, there's new team photos in the photo album, and under "Meet the Taxmen" there are some updated photos for a few of the new players.

The taxmen now turn their attention to the 2008 season. Planned events include bustrips to both Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium, a charity game at the Farmington Relay for Life, and a possible return to Disney in December. The league scheduling meeting has a tentative date set for Thursday, March 27 at the Red Rock.

Thanks to the Corner Pug for hosting the team's year-end dinner. The taxmen hope to return again next post-season, if not sooner.

The longest and most ambitious roadtrip in team history saw a group of taxmen make a trek to sunny Orlando for Disney's Slowpitch Holiday Classic, which was held December 14-16 on the top-notch fields at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

With just a forfeit win and two mercy-rule losses to show for their efforts, DRS had hoped for a better showing on the ballfield. But they were left to settle with missing the two nasty winter storms that had hit home back in Connecticut and spending a long weekend in Florida with temperatures in the 80s, ...and that's not a bad thing.

DRS was to meet a team called the B.C. Seminoles in the first round, but the opposition backed out at the last minute. The second round saw the taxmen routed 17-2 by a team from West Palm Beach called Quality Diamond. (Note: this same team had won the Florida State Mixed E Tournament just three months earlier.) Anyway, the loss dropped DRS to the loser's bracket, where the revenuers were soon sent packing by another Florida team, the Black Sox, who administered a 14-0 whitewashing on DRS.

No one was happy with the outcome, or the limited amount of playing time, but most everyone was appreciative of the long months of work it took putting the trip together, and the chance to escape winter in New England for some time in the land of Mickey.

Tourney organizers stated the taxmen's early exit in the tourney means DRS will be comped entry into a future tournament, so maybe another trip to Florida is in the team's future. Only time will tell.

Click here to hear the 6/20/07 audio game update (Red Rock)
Click here to hear the 6/27/07 audio game update (Bases Loaded)
Click here to hear the 7/5/07 audio game update (Rocky Hill Vets)
Click here to hear the 7/14/07 audio game update (Easter Seals)
Click here to hear the 8/3/07 audio game update (Cove Cup preview)
Click here to hear the 8/21/07 audio game update (Kanes preview)
Click here to hear the 9/1/07 audio game update (Kanes/Heavy Metal/Arch Sports Bar)

And can people start signing up and posting threads on the team messageboard already? This team is about more than just hitting and throwing a ball. It's about ridiculing your fellow co-workers, debating Red Sox and Yankees, and going out for pizza after a game and getting your car towed away. Or almost towed away - did you know those bloodsuckers still ding you $85 just for hooking up your car! Anyway, your team needs YOU to start trash-talking!

For the second year in a row, the taxmen faced a squad of players from around the GHISL in a league "all-star" game played prior to a bustrip to Fenway Park ... In the morning softball game, played at Charter Oak Park in Manchester, a pitcher's duel developed as DRS' Scott Gelineau and Acid Reign's Jim Coulter combined to limit the scoring to but nine runs ... The teams were broken down into two groups: thirteen players from DRS, and another group of ten players from Acid Reign, the Bisons, and E Coli Happens ... The taxmen prevailed 5-4, only after seeing a 5-1 lead dissipate in the bottom of the seventh inning. The GHISL All-Stars scored three and had the go-ahead and winning runs on base before the final out was finally recorded ... Game MVPS were: Harris Reid of DRS (solid play at second base - 5 putouts and 4 assists), Debbie Pease of E Coli (2 for 3, with two RBIs), and Don Gonyea of Acid Reign (3 for 3, with two runs scored) ... Forty-seven people rode the bus and enjoyed Fever Pitch en route, while a decidedly fewer number partook of Darren LaForge's melon ball shooters ... The tickets were located in the bleachers, in the first five rows behind the Sox bullpen. The spot proved a great place to razz the Orioles' players shagging flies before the game ... Red Sox took an early lead on a homerun by Big Papi drilled into the Sox bullpen, just a few feet away from where the taxmen were seated. Watching ESPN highlights the following morning, many of the taxmen are clearly seen excitedly celebrating the blast in video replays of the round tripper ... Mike Timlin became only the thirteenth pitcher in baseball history to appear in 1000 games, then promptly went out and allowed four runs on four hits ... Melva, the Fenway security guard, did an awful job clearing out the little urchins standing and blocking the taxmen's view of the action every half-inning ... The Orioles held a 9-3 lead at one point, but the Sox rallied and made a big comeback. The Sox had the tying and winning runs on base in the bottom of the ninth, before finally succumbing to defeat ... Heavy traffic around the ballpark made for a late night, as finding the bus proved difficult. However, eventually everyone was rounded up, boarded, and delivered back home to Connecticut safe and sound ... The successful, sold-out bus assures another trip, or trips, next year. Another trip to Fenway Park, and a trip to New York to celebrate the final season of Yankee Stadium, are most likely. Overnight trips to Baltimore and Pittsburgh are also possibilities.

For the twelfth straight year, the taxmen participated in the Greater Hartford Easter Seals Softball Weekend. DRS raised $4,306 to rank as the top fundraising team, and over the past twelve years, has raised over $30,000 for the charity! A planned game for Friday night was canceled, but the taxmen arrived at Mill Woods Park in Wethersfield bright and early Saturday for a double header. DRS swept its two games (13-4 over Cigna and 13-6 over Dick's Team) to win its four-team tourney bracket. Dave Cushman did an outstanding job on the hill for DRS, recording four strikeouts and walking none in a pair of games officiated by ASA umpires - not something the taxmen are usually accustomed to dealing with in league play. Thanks again to everyone for their support of the event - players who came out to play, and all of our generous co-workers who made donations toward the charitable campaign.

For the ninth year in a row, the taxmen held a team bustrip to a major league ballpark. This year the taxmen returned to Fenway Park for a much-anticipated inter-league match-up between the visiting San Francisco Giants and hometown Red Sox.
Trip highlights: Driver Don of Post Road Stages makes the trip in less than two hours! ... 48 people on a 55-person bus means plenty of room for beer coolers ... Dennis and Evelyn McMahon share black raspberry jello shots ... shaking hands with Luis Tiant on Yawkey Way ... half of the tables at Boston Beer Works are occupied by bustrip attendees ... nearly all the kids on the trip score baseballs during batting practice ... 80-degree weather and awesome seats in the LF grandstands alongside the Green Monster ... huge standing ovation for 2004 playoff hero and Yankee-killer Dave Roberts ... joining 36,000 fans in the "steroids" chant for Barry Bonds ... Julian Tavarez fields a grounder & rolls his throw bocce-ball style to first base ... singing Sweet Caroline during the 8th inning stretch ... Hearing the old Hartford Whalers theme song Brass Bonanza played after a clutch hit during a Red Sox rally ... Dustin Pedroia goes 5 for 5 as Sox win big, 10-2 ... No one gets left behind in Boston!
Photos (left to right, top to bottom): Barry Bonds takes BP ... Darren LaForge and Chris Atwood ... View of LF grandstands from behind home plate (our seats were below the Gulf sign) ... Magda and Scott Gelineau ... View of home plate from our LF grandstand seats ... group photo including Chris Radil, Sandi Isner, Peggy Jiantonio, Darren LaForge, Chris Atwood, Luca Capriglione and Gloria Axiotis.
    

Members of Team inDRStructible, ConnectiCare and Blue Barracudas teamed up with a half-dozen Farmington High School students and played a charity softball game during the Farmington Relay for Life. Nearly all participants made donations, and the game raised an additional $475 to benefit the charity. During the event's official opening ceremonies, the event's honorary chair, beloved Channel 3 meteorologist Scot Haney, recognized the taxmen, "as the greatest team in the history of organized coed recreational sport!" Most of the guys on the team were not impressed; they had simply been hoping for a chance to meet cute traffic babe, Rachel Lutzker.

WELCOME HOME GEORGE!

The taxmen welcome George Duggan home after a year of active duty in Afghanistan. George, to the right in the top photo, is shown donning full battle gear. Along with protecting freedom and fighting for the American way, George and his fellow soldiers also found time to test-drive the army's latest desert combat vehicle (a camel), decorate the hummers for Christmas, and build a snowman atop a Chinook helicopter. Also notable was the "Taliban Breathalizer - Blow here" instruction painted at the end of the cannon turret on one of the army's armored fighting vehicles. George, now a lean, mean fighting machine, returns to the taxmen just in time for opening day.

On seeing Zayas' tricked out Hyundai, says Manny, "Is not too bad. Jus' Jerry being Jerry, you know?"

"But I'm a superstitious man. And if some unlucky accident should befall Team inDRStructible ...if a taxman should get hit in the head by a ball thrown by a police officer, or if a teammmate should by hung off a hook in the locker room, or if one is struck by a bolt of lightning on the softball diamond, then I'm going to blame some of the people in this league. And that I do not forgive. But that aside, let me say that I swear, on the souls of my grandchildren, that I will not be the one who will break the peace we have made here today."

You think it could it be because of the wall sign?